Podcast Summary: "Part Of The Problem" featuring Scott Horton

Podcast Information

• Title: Part Of The Problem
• Host: Dave Smith, GaS Digital Network
• Guest: Scott Horton
• Release Date: November 5, 2024
• Description: Dave Smith explores current events, government policies, foreign affairs, and Libertarian perspectives with insightful guests. In this episode, he converses with foreign policy expert Scott Horton about his upcoming book, the 2024 election, and pressing geopolitical issues.

1. Introduction

[01:22] Dave Smith opens the episode by welcoming listeners and announcing upcoming events, including Robbie the Fire Bernstein's comedy special and live election day coverage with Patrick Bet David. He introduces Scott Horton, a prominent foreign policy analyst and author, as today's guest to discuss Horton's latest work and current global affairs.

2. Scott Horton's Book: Provoked

[03:33] Scott Horton introduces his forthcoming book, Provoked, detailing the intricate relationship between the United States and Russia post-Cold War. He provides an overview of the book's content, which chronicles actions by Bush Senior, Bill Clinton, Bush Jr., Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, John McCain, and Hillary Clinton that he argues have worsened U.S.-Russia relations, leading to the new Cold War and the crisis in Ukraine.

• Notable Quote:

  "The book is coming out very soon. This is not the podcast about the book, but since this is what everybody's going to be asking…" [03:35] – Scott Horton

Scott emphasizes the comprehensive nature of his work, covering NATO expansion, economic policies like shock therapy, and key events such as the Maidan Revolution and Russia’s actions in Crimea. He also addresses the Russiagate investigations and the Trump administration's foreign policies.

• Notable Quote:

  "But almost half of that is footnotes. It's literally hundreds of pages worth of footnotes. Six thousand footnotes…" [07:42] – Scott Horton

3. The 2024 Election: Dynamics and Predictions

Dave Smith shifts the conversation to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, expressing his intent to vote for Donald Trump despite acknowledging his flaws. He seeks Scott Horton’s insights on the election's unprecedented nature.

[10:34] Scott Horton shares his regret over not being able to focus solely on his radio show due to book writing but reiterates the significance of the election. He compares the current race to past elections, highlighting the stark differences and the immense influence of the presidential candidate.

• Notable Quote:

  "Donald Trump, who's a caricature of his own self, Versus Kamala Harris, who is the emptiest suit anyone has ever seen." [10:34] – Scott Horton

Scott critiques Kamala Harris’s candidacy, labeling her as ineffective and lacking substance compared to Trump. He discusses the polarized voter base and the potential for unexpected election outcomes.

4. U.S. Foreign Policy: Russia and Ukraine

A significant portion of the discussion centers on U.S. foreign policy and its implications for Russia and Ukraine.

[19:31] Scott Horton elaborates on his perspectives, arguing that Democratic policies have cumulatively strained relations with Russia. He contends that every administration since Bush Senior has pursued aggressive stances toward Russia, leaving little room for détente or peaceful resolution.

• Notable Quote:

  "The whole book is, as you've been talking about for the last few years, just, you see, see all of the different off ramps, all of the off ramps where it didn't have to end here." [06:00] – Dave Smith

Scott discusses the potential escalation of the Ukraine conflict into broader warfare, including the dire prospects of nuclear confrontation if tensions remain unchecked.

• Notable Quote:

  "Once anybody starts tossing around even lower scale, what they call usable tactical atom bombs…that can really happen." [72:31] – Dave Smith

5. Media Distrust and Censorship Concerns

The conversation shifts to the erosion of trust in corporate media and the growing concerns over censorship.

[38:04] Dave Smith highlights a Gallup poll indicating declining trust in corporate media, attributing it to perceived ideological biases and hidden agendas. He introduces Ground News as a nonpartisan platform combating media distrust.

• Notable Quote:

  "With networks prioritizing corporate interest and ideological bias over objective coverage, most people don't know who to trust for their news." [19:31] – Dave Smith

[54:27] Scott Horton expresses deep frustration with media censorship, recounting incidents where content creators faced severe repercussions for expressing dissenting views. He warns of the societal dangers posed by unchecked censorship, including increased radicalization and violence.

• Notable Quote:

  "That's what happens when you have a censorship regime. And think about in America, man, you've seen the south park where they go, what we'll do is we'll have war all the time…" [74:22] – Scott Horton

6. Critique of Political Leadership

Throughout the episode, both Dave Smith and Scott Horton provide scathing critiques of current Democratic leaders, particularly Kamala Harris, accusing them of incompetence and damaging policies.

• Notable Quote:

  "She is just sun. Dumb, dumb hoe. Like, you gotta be kidding me." [61:47] – Scott Horton

They discuss Harris’s inability to effectively communicate and lead, contrasting her unfavorably with Trump’s dynamic presence despite his controversial actions.

7. Final Thoughts and Future Outlook

As the episode nears its conclusion, both hosts acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding the election outcome but express optimism that Trump may secure a victory, which they believe would challenge the status quo and media narratives.

[92:52] Scott Horton admits uncertainty about the election's outcome but aligns with Dave's hopeful stance towards Trump's potential win.

• Notable Quote:

  "We don't know what's going to happen on election night and I don't know what's going to happen if he wins and I don't know what's going to happen if she wins." [92:52] – Scott Horton

[94:59] Scott Horton wraps up the conversation with a mix of irony and anticipation for post-election developments, hinting at future episodes that will delve deeper into the implications of the election results.

Conclusion

In this intense and candid episode of "Part Of The Problem," Dave Smith and Scott Horton delve into pressing political issues, from U.S. foreign policy and the upcoming 2024 election to media distrust and censorship. Horton's forthcoming book, Provoked, serves as a cornerstone for their discussions, highlighting the tumultuous interplay between American leadership and international relations. The episode underscores a deep skepticism of current Democratic policies and media narratives, advocating for a return to what they perceive as more authentic and accountable governance.

Where to Find More:

• Scott Horton’s Work: ScottHorton.org
• Book Pre-Orders for Provoked: provokedbook.com or ScottHorton.org/provoked

Note: The podcast contains strong political opinions and language that may be polarizing. The summary aims to objectively capture the key discussions and viewpoints expressed by the hosts.